Len Chamberlain

Records, people say, are meant to be broken. The question remaining for Astoria High School swimmers is when will they break the two individual records set by Len Chamberlain back in February of 1990. At the time of his induction into the Astoria Athletic Hall of Fame (December 2006), Chamberlain still holds the marks in the 50 -yard free (22.83) and the 100-yard free (49.96). He also is a partner with his twin brother Bill, Darryl Fleck, and David Ericksen in the 400-free relay (3:31.10) set in February of 1989.

Len is one part of an illustrious Astoria swimming family along with his brother Bill and youngest brother Daniel. Together they helped build a legacy of hard work and success in the pool. Individually Len ranks among the most decorated swimmers earning four varsity letters as well as eleven individual championships in the Cowapa League. At the District level, Len garnered eight individual first place honors. Because the OSAA, at that time, had only one State Championship meet, Len’s best finish at State was an eleventh place in the 50-free, the top finisher of schools at the AA level.

At one time Chamberlain also held two individual and one relay league records. During his four years of competition, the Fishermen won three league titles as well as two district titles. He and his teammates also took second place in the District Meet when all schools from the AA level were in one district. During that time that meet was the AA State Meet in the eyes of all coaches and swimmers, although the OSAA did not recognize it as such.

During those three League Championship title meets Len and his teammates won 29 of 30 events, an unheard of performance. (This would be akin to a wrestling or track and field team winning all but one match or event). The two teams that won all events are the only teams in any sport in the Cowapa League history to do so. And, the only reason they did not win all 30 was because his teammates requested that Len be allowed to try to set another school and league record. They willingly surrendered their team’s glory out of respect for Len. Chamberlain also lettered twice in soccer and captained his team as well as being selected Most Valuable Swimmer for two years.

Following high school, Len attended Pacific Lutheran University where he swam for four years, earning three All-Conference awards as well as being selected Most Improved Swimmer in 1992. He also swam in the NAIA National Swim Meet in 1991, ‘92 and ‘94 earning both All-American honors as well as Honorable Mention honors.

Len Chamberlain helped establish a tradition of excellence in Astoria High School Swimming, a tradition that still holds today.